The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-08-12
PEklno CATHEDRAL.
Contemplated Removal of - Catholic Edl
hce Erected I'm the Year I7o2.


regarding the contemplated removal Of
the ancient Catholic cathedral Mt Pc
king and the bestowal of high rank
upon the Bishop and Abbe of the dio.
cese. Since l702 this ediflce has stood
within the imperial city of China. and
lts lotty bell-tower. overlooking the inn
pef1M palace grounds, has been re-
garded as an obstacle To the good infiu-
enees OF the spirits that haunt the
Chirese imaginations. Years passed.
but all efforts 10 remove the building
were fruitless until, during the last
year. the arts of diplomacy prevailed.
and the old cathedral is to be deserted.
Its past history is full of interest, and,
through the kindness of Rev. Father
Barchi. OF st. Ignatius College, a re-
porter obtained access to rare volumes
IN the library which give history. of
The cathedral from its inception.
In 1902 Father Gerbiilion. a native Of
Belgium, who by means of his mathe-
NAUTICAL attachments had become so
necessary TO the service of the Chinese
Emperor, kang Hi. that he had become
necessary 10 the council. obtained de-
cree authorizing freedom of Christian
worship throughout the country. In
1902 kang Iii was afflicted with fever,
and the native doctors were unable to
cure him. Father Gerbilion had small
quantity of quinine which the Jesuit
fathers had obtained in Peru. and by
the aid of the drug cured the imperial
patent As a reward for this action
4 Al.
cathedral in corner of the palace
grounds.
The Mandarins then. rs now. We're
bitterly opposed to the erection of the
building, alleging the evil influences
which would ensne IL the construc-
tion was proceeded with. In reply
to their objection the Emperor told
them: These strangers have rem
dered me infinite services; they re-
fuse money, honors aud office: they.
take delight in their religion, and in
granting them permission to build a
house for Worship can only give them
qualification. Kang Iii also gave the
fathers gold valued at 200, 600 francs,
which they invested in the stock Of the
British and East India Company. and
| until tho dissolution of that corporation
ia 1857 the interest on this sum was
paid to the Propaganda In Rome for
the maintenance of missions in China
! and the East. As further mark of
honor the Emperor wrote three inscrip-
tons. which were carved on stone
and placed in prominent positions
in the church. One. placed upon
column. read as follows: ITO
| the Creator of every thing" The
/ others. inscribed on tablets, were: He
Is infinitely good and just; He enlight-
ems. upholds and rules every thing with
supreme authority and with sovereign
| Justice" ''He had no beginning and
will have no end; He has made all things
from the earliest time. He is the Gov
eruor and the true Lord of them
These Inscriptions will doubtless be
/ removed to the cathedral. their value
being inestimable, not only in the eyes
of the fathers. but also in the estimation
of the Chinese.
The building itself was about 125 feet
long and some thirty feet wide. Bricks
and plaster were used in its construc-
ton. For nearly two centuries the
cathedral has stood undisturbed. Build
ings have been added in the shape of a
hospital and dispensary, a museum OF
science. and a room where a splendid
collection of the fora and fauna OF
North China, made by Pere David. is
arranged.
Attempts by the Chinese to remove
the cathedral have been Intellectual.
although every Emperor and Empress
since Kang His time have used their
endeavors by threats and persuasion.
In 1886 the Empress Dowager. who has
made the removal of this building an
object, sought the aid of foreigners in
the employ of Chinese customs, and BY
dint of n mission to the Pope. aided by
the influence of the French Minister,
under whose government the fathers
have enjoyed protection for many
years. accomplished her desires. The
fathers have received a piece x land
on the northwest corner of the Imperial
.alace grounds. whereon they viii
build new cathedral. Bishop Taglia
bue was decorated with the insignia ot
a mandarin of the first class, second
grade. and Abbe Favier received s
blue button. emitting him to the rani
of an official of the second class, frs
grade. In addition to the land, $50.
200 taels equal to $3o0.o0O) is to b,
paid as the cost of erecting a new ca.
thedral. The only restriction placed
upon the fathers is that that the new
cathedral shall not be built any higher
than the Chinese buildings, as the oe
calt wind and water influence, whicl
J any tower would be likely to occasion
will thus be avoided. 1t may be noteC
that the jesuit fathers transferred thei1
religious buildings and converts in
China to the Lazarists many years ago
aad it was with the principals of tha
mission that the Chinese Government
dealt in their negotiations concerning
the removal of the cathedral -Sd,
Francisco Chronicle.
-Sha l teach you what knowledge
Is? When You know a thing. to hole
that you know it; and when you de
not know thing, to confess your igno
: rance. is knowledge.-Co Conf,tctns.
"A Kansas City man has lemon
that weighs six pounds twelve and one
fourth ounces. Persons desiring TO us,
photographs of the weed to stir into
: water for picnic purpos s are now being
supplied It'd Bits.
She never refused